Constant-flow module.



J. E. BARIEAU.

CONSTANT FLOW MODULE.

APPLICATION men DEC. 14, 1914.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

2 SHETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR gim WITNESSES:

J TORNEY m: Nmm-ls PEYERS co.. PNOTOLI'IHOY, WASHINUPD-I. u

J. E. BARIEAU.

CONSTANT FLOW MODULE.

APPLICATION FILED use. 14, 1914.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR 367:1 ZeveZ.

WITNESSES:

sfyfd JEROME E. BARIEAU, OF COLFAX, CALIFORNIA.

GONSTANTFLOW MODULE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1(1 1917.

Application filed December 1 1, 1914. Serial No. 877,115.

supply source in which the head may irregularly vary; to provide a device which is automatically operable by variations of the supply head to maintain the desired discharge flow; to provide an apparatus requiring a minimum of diflerence between the head water and. the level of the discharge system to operate; also to adapt the device to vary the discharge arbitrarily Without variation in the original head. Other objects are to provide a device of the most simple type for varying the discharge; and to provide an apparatus which is hydro- V pneumatic in principle.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows the apparatus installed between a source of supply and a consumers' ditch. v

Fig. 2 is a vertical detail section of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 shows a modification.

A indicates any suitable source of supply, as a dam, ditch or canal; and B the consumers ditch to which it is desirable to discharge constant quantities of water from the source.

The module constituting the invention includes two vertical stand pipes or wells 2 and 3 connected across by the fluid passageway 5. The former is directly connected by a conduit, as 4, to the feed canal A at a point below the minimum fall or level thereof. Telescoping in the upflow or discharge pipe 3 is a tubular discharge or nozzle 6 open at its-upper end and having an outlet 7 over which is adjustable a gate or slide 8. The member 6 and outlet 7 form a wier through which water discharges into the ditch B.

The nozzle 6 is rendered buoyant by con nection to a float 9, centrally immersed in the water in the well 3, and an annular skirt or bell 10 extending down into a water seal 11 so as to form an air chamber 10 which acts in conjunction with the float 9 to buoy the noz zle 6. As the buoyant structure rises increasing the space 10 air is discharged thereinto from the air reservoir 12.

Friction between the sliding and stationary members if they should touch may be avoided by the employment of suitable roller bearings 3 at appropriate locations, as between the floating bell 10 and the adjacent wall 3. As a rule rollers are not needed.

From air chamber 10 leads an air pipe 10 which terminates in an inverted drum or air reservoir 12, immersed in the pipe 2,

in which the water rises and falls directly with variations in the head at the source A. The air reservoir 12, which has a pet cock 12 for permitting replenishment of air, is adjusted at a desired position in the pipe 2 and contains air more or less compressed and in communication with the bell 10 so that the air pressure in the chamber 10 is kept constant by means of the air chamber 12.' Thus with a rise of head in A and 2 the air in the receiver 12 is displaced and enters bell 10, causing the latter to rise and also raising the level of the overflow at 7-. Conversely with a fall of head in 2 the air in bell 10 is reduced, allowing the latter to fall correspondingly.

For the purpose of arbitrarily varying or regulating the height of the overflow tube 6 above the water level, float 9 may be provided with a pocket to contain weights 13 without interfering with the water dis charge. The water seal in space 11 may be maintained constant by having it so disposed as to receive water discharged by the ap paratus.

In order to discharge constantly to the consumer a predetermined quantity of water, the weir edge or gate 8 is adjusted as de sired and the weights 13 in the float 9 are also gradated as necessary to hold the buoyant structure at the desired position, irrespective of the head at the source. A hydro-pneumatic actuation of the buoyant bell and float takes place upon any variation of the level of the head at the source A, inasmuch as the air in the receiver 12 will be compressed or attenuated proportionately with such variation. For instance, upon a rise in the canal and head plpe, air Wlll be compressed or displaced from receiver 12 to space 10 in bell 10 as the latter rises with the float 9, carrying up with it the weir nozzle 6, so that the discharge level of the weir will coincide with the canal level and thus maintain the designed height of flow over the weir gate 8. Conversely, upon a fall of head at the source, the air in the air spaces 1012 will be attenuated owing to a fall of pressure in receiver 12, and hence the floating gate and carrier may descend so that their discharge level equals that of the canal and the head pipe 2.

To prevent unwarranted tampering with the adjustable parts of the apparatus the mechanism may be covered with a hood 16 fastened by a suitable lock 17.

The general principle here involved is to provide an apparatus in which the discharge controlling mechanism may be set to produce a flow of fixed quantity irrespective of the variation of head at the supply, the apparatus comprising a floating gate actuated and controlled by a float and by hydrostatic pressure acting upon air. The latter serves as a flexible piston reacting on the float so as to maintain the edge of the gate at an adjusted position with relation to the fluctuating level of supply.

When the consumers ditch is on about the same level with the main canal, the water can be discharged over the rim of the discharge pipe 6, thus increasing the length of crest and requiring but a slight difference of the levels of the canal and the ditch. This can be done by increasing the weight of the whole float until its head lowers nearly to the ditch surface or by telescoping the rim of the discharge pipe 6.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modification of the invention in which the receiver 11 is made movable and is weighted, as shown at 15, to produce the desired air pressure thereunder. By means of the variably weighted float 9 I can vary the discharge independent of any variation of the head at the source. Whatever form is used there is a free air communication between the receiver and the float for counterbalancing purposes.

By this device there is insured a constant flow for any quantity and for any variation of head. Its flexibility is of great advan tage being enabled to allow a flow of any amount of water with the simplest mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a water flow regulating apparatus, a floating discharge member having a float chamber formed therein, a source of variable head water supply, an air trap submerged in said source of water supply, the air pressure in said trap varying with a change in head in the source of supply, and

a connection formed between said trap and the float chamber.

2. In a water flow controlling apparatus,

a discharge member, a bell-like air float carrying said discharge member, a source of variable head water supply, an air compressing device connected with and actuated by the variable head of water supply, and a pipe connecting said air compressing device with the bell like air float.

3. A. water controlling module comprising an open mouthed stand pipe in communication with a source of variable supply, and a discharge structure having fluid flow connection with the stand pipe, including a telescoping part, an air containing bell connected to said part for rendering it buoyant, a water seal for the bell, and an adjustable air drum in said pipe in air communication with the bell for the equalization of pressure in both.

4. A water controlling module comprising an open mouthed stand pipe in communication with a source of variable supply, and a discharge structure having fluid flow con-' nection with the stand pipe, including a tele scoping part, an air containing bell connected to said part for rendering it buoyant,

a water seal for the bell maintained by the water discharged, and an adjustable air drum in said pipe in air communication with the bell for the equalization of pressure in both.

5. A water controlling module comprising an open mouthed stand pipe in communication with a source of variable supply, and a discharge structure having fluid flow connection with the stand pipe, including a telescoping part, an air containing bell connected to said part for rendering it buoyant, a water seal for the bell, and an adjustable air drum in said pipe in air communication with the bell for the equalization of pressure in both, the water rising to a common level in the source, in the head pipe and in the moving part of the discharge structure.

6. A water controlling module comprising an open mouthed stand pipe in communication with a source of variable supply, nd a discharge structure having fluid flow ronnection with the stand pipe, including a telescoping part, an air containing bell connected to said part for rendering it buoyant, a water seal for the bell, and an adjustable air drum in said pipe in air communication with the bell for the equalization of pressure in both, the Water rising to a common level in the source, in the head pipe and in the moving part of the discharge structure, said part having an adjustable piece for determining the depth of overflowing crest.

7. In a Water module, a discharge member, an air floatcarrying said discharge able head of water at the source of supply for increasing or decreasing the pressure of air in the float.

8. In a water flow controlling apparatus, a source of variable Water supply and a connected discharge channel, a buoyant gate in the channel, a bell supporting the gate, said bell being mounted in a water seal maintained by the discharge from the gate, and means controlled by the variable head of the water at the source of supply for increasing or decreasing the pressure of air in the bell.

9. In a water flow controlling apparatus, a discharge member, a bell-like air float carrying said discharge member, a source of variable head water supply, an air compressing device connected with and actuated by the variable head oi Water supply, a pipe connecting said air compressing device with the bell-like air float, and a gate carried by the discharge member adapted to be raised or lowered to regulate the flow.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEROME E. BARIEAU.

lVitnesses:

E. HAFFEY, J. J. MOONEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by adclressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. C. v 

